Kalamazoo leaders unite to support gun safety bill amid community violence concerns

The House Health Policy Committee convened on December 12, 2024, to discuss a significant bill aimed at addressing gun violence and its impact on public health. The meeting featured a range of supporters from various organizations and sectors, highlighting a broad coalition advocating for the bill.

City Manager Jim Ritzema of Kalamazoo opened the discussion by expressing his support, followed by endorsements from the Michigan Nurses Association and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. The bill received backing from numerous health and safety organizations, including Everytown for Gun Safety, the Michigan State Medical Society, and Trinity Health Michigan.

Additional support came from the Michigan Charter Academy of Pediatrics, Brady United, and Citizens for Prison Reform. Jermaine Belcher from the Health Alliance of Violence Intervention also voiced his support, along with various medical professionals, including Dr. Camps and Leah Davis, DO. The Michigan League for Public Policy and the Progressive Democratic Women's Caucus of Muskegon County added their endorsements, emphasizing the bill's importance in combating gun violence.

Emma Peterson, Public Policy Manager at YWCA of Kalamazoo, and representatives from the Michigan Health and Hospitals Association also expressed their support. A poignant moment in the meeting came when a medical professional shared a personal story about the emotional toll of treating victims of gun violence, underscoring the bill's relevance to public health and community safety.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued advocacy and collaboration among supporters to advance the bill, reflecting a unified effort to address the pressing issue of gun violence in Michigan. The committee's discussions set the stage for further legislative action in the coming months.